Managing particle pollution

Particle pollution is a mixture of small particles and
liquid droplets suspended in air. It is made up of a complex range of
components including nitrates, sulphates, organic chemicals, metals and soil or
dust.

Reducing particle pollution is a priority for the EPA, based
on evidence that

communities in urban and regional NSW are exposed to particle
pollution which is harmful to health

there are feasible, cost effective actions available to
governments, industry and the community to reduce particle emissions

The review found evidence that fine particles (PM2.5)
are more detrimental to health and have a wider range of health effects than
larger particles. However, larger particles also have health impacts which
can differ from those associated with smaller particles. There is more evidence
of health impacts linked to combustion emissions, for example, traffic, diesel
exhaust and coal fired power stations, than other sources and exposure to these
sources is associated with impacts on cardiovascular and respiratory health. People
most sensitive to particle pollution include children, older adults and those
with asthma, heart or lung disease.

The EPA implements various actions to target particle
pollution depending on the source, concentration, local and regional
meteorology, land uses, nearby receptors and other factors.

The EPA is responsible for managing the impacts of smoke from wood
heaters under Part 5.4, Division 3 of the POEO Act. Excessive smoke from
incorrectly installed or operated wood heaters is a major contributor to
particle pollution in some areas of NSW during cooler months when unburnt gases cool as
they travel up the chimney.

EPA works with local councils to reduce pollution from wood
heaters, including training council officers in

enforcing
legislation regarding excessively smoky chimneys

improving
wood heater installation practices

undertaking
community education campaigns – the EPA has also produced a wood smoke pollution resource kit containing resources
such as sample media releases and advertisements

The EPA works with the NSW Rural Fire Service to reduce air
pollution during planned burns and bushfires. The NSW Rural Fire Service has
produced a bushfire environmental assessment code, which contains strategies
to reduce smoke during hazard reduction burns.

The Bushfire Coordinating Committee has developed a Bushfire Smoke Management policy to guide NSW fire
and land managers, both public and private, in balancing their fire management
and air quality management obligations.

The
impacts of climate change could mean some areas of NSW experience warmer
temperatures and lower rainfall, leading to more bushfires and dust storms
which are both key sources of particle pollution.

After harvesting crops such as cotton, wheat and rice, some farmers
burn the remnants or stubble to reduce the risk of passing on diseases or pests
to the next crop, and reduce weed seed banks. However, this practice can cause
significant local particle pollution.

The EPA’s guidance note advises councils of the regulations
regarding agricultural stubble burning and alternatives which are better for
the environment and human health.

The EPA’s smoky vehicle enforcement program aims to reduce air emissions
by ensuring that owners properly maintain their vehicles. A smoky vehicle is
any motor vehicle that emits visible smoke continuously for more than ten
seconds. Read more about smoky vehicles.

The Diesel and Marine Emissions Management
Strategy
addresses emissions from non-road diesel equipment used at EPA-licensed
activities such as coal mining, equipment used by Government agencies or their
contractors, diesel locomotives operating in NSW, and containerised and bulk
cargo and cruise shipping at NSW ports. It sets out actions that the EPA has
implemented and further steps it is taking to ensure that NSW benefits from the
availability of feasible and cost-effective approaches and technologies to
reduce non-road diesel and marine emissions.

More than 40 organisations throughout the greater metropolitan
region, including private businesses and local councils, participated in the
program and the NSW Government provided almost $806,000 in subsidies to
retrofit 141 diesel machines. It is estimated that these retrofits will reduce
diesel particle emissions by about 37 tonnes over 10 years, yielding
substantial public health benefits. Read more about the Clean Machine Program.

commissioning a benchmarking study to identify the main sources of
particle pollution and suggest international best practice measures to minimise
emissions

implementing the Dust Stop program where each mine operator
carries out a site-specific determination of best management practice to reduce
emissions

imposing pollution reduction programs on coal mining licences.

Following the severe dust storms throughout NSW in 2002 and
2009, the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) launched DustWatch, a
program that monitors and reports on the extent and severity of wind erosion
across Australia. NSW Local Land Services and the EPA work in partnership with OEH
to maintain the network of DustWatch stations and volunteers.

With the help of community volunteers, DustWatch advises
scientists, farmers, land managers and the community about dust conditions and
wind erosion through

OEH
has recently started to install low cost air quality monitoring instruments at
selected DustWatch sites, such as Wagga Wagga, to help determine the sources
and type of particle pollution in the area.